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and analyzes data to support cost, reli-
ability, availability and maintainability
studies; special requirements; and Army
sta programs. e U.S. Army Materiel
Systems Analysis Activity (AMSAA), as
the Army's responsible o cial, adminis-
ters the program as prescribed in "Army
Regulation 750-1, Army Materiel Main-
tenance Policy." Based on SDC&A
information, the Army is replacing some
batteries only one-third of the way into
their expected minimum life and one-
sixth of their expected life based on
proper maintenance.
For example, SDC&A data showed that
over the past three years, the absorbent
glass mat (AGM) battery used in the
TWV eet was being replaced every 13
months on average, when maintenance
technicians detected the failure of the
vehicle batteries. e expected minimum
life of the AGM battery is three years per
manufacturer warranty, with an expected
full life of approximately six to eight years
when treated properly. e Army chose
the AGM as its standard vehicle battery
for its improved performance and spill-
proof design based on the use of highly
porous micro ber plates that absorb the
battery's electrolyte.
Replacing batteries has become a tre-
mendous burden for the Army logistics
enterprise. Maintenance personnel
expend time assessing and recharging
batteries, removing and replacing spent
ones and managing temporary storage
locations for batteries that are no longer
useable. Removing the batteries from the
site requires involvement of the Defense
Reutilization and Marketing O ce or
local contractors paid to remove and
recycle the batteries. During FY16, DOD
spent more than $80 million replacing
more than 373,000 vehicle batteries. e
cost and e ort being expended on low-
usage batteries begs for a better way to
manage this challenge.
A SOLAR SOLUTION DAWNS
Now engineers with AMSAA's Opera-
tional Sustainment Analysis Team
(OSAT), in coordination with other
Army organizations, are exploring the
possibility of using modern solar charger
technology to solve the problem of pre-
maturely replacing Army batteries. OSAT
engineers, charged with detecting sys-
temic materiel readiness issues in elded
systems and in uencing improvements
using data-driven analyses, are studying
small solar panels that, when attached to
the hood or roof of TWV platforms, can
provide from 20 to 60 watts of power to
charge and maintain batteries on those
vehicles. Once attached, the solar panel
can remain with the vehicle wherever
it travels and requires no interaction or
maintenance from the vehicle's operator.
By converting the sun's power into elec-
tricity, solar panel solutions have the
potential to increase the readiness of
low-usage vehicles while reducing main-
tenance costs and the logistics burden
caused by excessive battery management.
Solar panels are an old but still evolving
technology that have gone though many
advancements over the years. Bell Labs
introduced solar cells for space activi-
ties in the 1950s that boasted 6 percent
e ciency in converting light to power.
Today's panels, capitalizing on years
of design and manufacturing improve-
ments, are capable of converting sunlight
into power at an e ciency level of about
20 percent.
AMSA A's analysis of previous e orts from
as early as 2004 seeking to introduce solar
chargers to Army vehicle maintenance
programs uncovered problems in design
TESTED TOUGH
Not even the weight of a forklift can damage some of today's solar panel products. The solar
panel industry studied the shortcomings of earlier products and applied lessons learned to today's
products; AMSAA engineers are now working to develop requirements for a solar-powered
charger system to mount on the Army's light tactical vehicles. (Photo courtesy of SOLARA)
30 Army AL&T Magazine January - March 2018
HARNESSING THE SUN